Means eoe opebateng dampers



Oct. 9 1923. T. J, CURTIS MEANS FOR OPERATING DAMPERS Filed April 30. 1923 ..--Lj mf Z A @nwe/iddo 19T/mwa@ JCU/Ans Patented Get. 9, 1923'.

THOMAS i. CURTIS. or Los ANGELES. oanrronnra.

MEANS EORy OPERATING DAMPES.

Y, Appiipauon ined April 3o, 192:3. seriaiN'o. 635,554.

To all whom t may concern Be it lrnown that I, THOMAS J. CURTIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Los Angeles, in the count-y of Los Angeles and State of California, have` invented .certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Operating Dampers, of

which the following is a specification, reference being ing drawing.

This inventionwrelates to means for operating dampers, and more particularly dampersof the type disclosed in my Patent No. 1,434,529, issued November 7, 1922.

In certain damper constructions, suchas disclosed in the aforesaid patent, aV relatively large ring, of a diameterapproximately the same as the stove-pipe, is interiorly .provided with a pivoted damper, and it is necessary to provide means whereby the ring and damper may be rotated together as a draft regulator, and.` also whereby the damper may be rotated independentlyv of the ring.

The object of my invention therefore, is the production of instrumentalities whereby the ringfand damper may be rotated as a whole, or whereby thedamper may be rotatedfirrespective of the ring.

Other objects of the invention will be made clear in the following specification,

`when read in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof.

In said drawing Figure 1 isa perspective view showing the operating means connected toa damper of the type aforesaid.

tion, and

Fig, Gis' ane'dge view of the valvewhich is apart of my invention.

Referring specifically to the drawing, have herein shown the `specific type `of damper -disclosed'in Inypatent heretofore referred Ito. The structure embodies a flat, circulary ring A, Vand upperand lower disks Band C, respectively, a damper or valve 1 being pivotally mounted in the opening in Said ring A, andadapted to turn with the had therein to the accompanyring, or independently thereof, as will presently appear.

An operating shaft 2, provided `with a handle 3, extends. across the ring A, being prevented from separation therefromy by j means of a plate 4:, secured to the ring by screws orv bolts, andhaving an upwardly" curved body portion forming a bearing to permit rotation ofthe shaft The composite damper described is usually installed in a stack, at one of the joints thereof, the shaft 2 resting in slots; formed in the top` periphery ofthe bottom section of the joint, the top section thereof being similarly slotted, thetwo slotted portions also forming a Vbearing permitting rotationof the shaft 2. The vopposite side of the ring A is provided with a short stub shaft 5, adapted to be similarly supported in notches, to pervmit rotation of the ring A.

The valve 1 is supported in the ring by means of a short stub shaft 6, extending into thev body of the. ring Aas shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2.] The inner end of the shaft 2 terminates within an aperture 7' formed in the adjacent periphery of the valve 1, as shown` in dotted lines Fig. l1. It is clear that, because of the described method of` mounting the valve 1, it may be turned ory pivoted irrespective of the ring A.

The valve 1 is cast with the raised portion 8, and a slot 9 is formed on each side of said aperture 7, tor a purpose to be described.

Carried upon and surrounding the outer portion Vof the shaft 2, isa collar 10, termi# i nating in an enlarged circular platell, the

innerl surface of whichV is provided kwith ratchet teeth 12. The plate 11 is apertured at 13 to permit passage'iof the shaft 2, and

kerfs 111 are cut on each side of the aperture'l, as shown in Fig'. 5. A ratchet platek 15, having .teeth16, is secured to the pipe,

`and is centrally provided with an aperture 13 and kerfs .1411', 14.-, exactly similar to the Vaperture and lrerfsat 13, in theplate 11,

except that a line drawn through. the lrerfs ofthe plate 15 would lie in a plane at a right angle with a similar line drawn through thelrerfs 13, on the plate 11, when assembled as shown `in Fig. 2. The en'd 17 ofthe shaft v2, is somewhat tapered to facilitate rotation in the aperture 7. ,Adjae cent the end 17, the shaft is provided with -diametrically opposed projections 18, of a size permitting passage thereof through the lrerfsof lthe plate 15, and entry into the iai slots ori-the valve .1. 'About midway of the shaft 2, are additional dianifetricallyYl VVpositioned projections 19, similar totheprojections 18, and adapted to pass through the,n

kerfs 14 on theplate 1,1. Between the hanVn dle 3 of the shaft, and the projections 19, is

Va peripheral flange 20, and a coiled spring 21 is positioned in front ofthe flange 20, to

V 'lfsurround the Shaft 2.

. The plate 4, on the ring AV is provided,

,Y labove and below the ring, with notches 22, i opposite the notches 9, inthe `valve`l,

j ioi a purposeto be described.

In assembling the device to the position shown in Fig. 2, the shaftr2 is projected through the collar 10, andthe plates 11 and ,15. The plate 4 is then lifted from the Vring ik, Vand the shaft is laid on said ring, the

end17 thereof being inserted in the'socltet 7. The plate 4 is then' fastened 'to the ring, Y

securing the vshaft in position, In this'position, asshown in full lines', Fig. 2, the pro*- jectionsf1'9are inthelrerfs 1,4of the plate l1, and a portion of each of the projections 18 isin the slot 9 of the valve 1, and another portion'in notches 22 of the ring A; There is very little tensionon the spring 21', and

the teeth of the plates 11 and'l are loosely;

in engagement. Rotation of the shaft 2, by means of the handle 3, will cause rotation of theuring A,'together with a similar rotation'of'the valve 1, since'ftheprojectionsY 19 lock- .the ring kand valve' against relative rotative movement, the plate 11 rotating with the shaft 2, and the teeth of said plate sliding'loosclyover the teeth of the plate 12,

there being suiiicient resistance however to prevent lgravitatibn of the ring and valve from the set position. VIt is' obvious that,

if thercomposite damper is thus rotatedV through an`v angle of o the draft'would be fully* open, which is desirable' at certain times. Y

When it is desired to partially7 close the draft, the ring A is allowed to remain in the position shown inFigv. 2, and the draft is regulated by manipulation of the valve- 1". In orderV to rotateitlielvalve 1, without a simultaneous rotation of the ring A., the

handle 3 is first pushed inwardly, to a position Vshown in dotted linesuin Figj2, the

projections 19 being pushed entirely through thelrerfs 14. At this time theprojcctions 18, near the end of the shaftf, have been pushed out of the `notches 22,'inthe rpla-te 4, but'are of course still engaged in the slots 9 ofthe valve 1, as shown in full lines Fig.

'4. 'In this position of the handle 3,l any Arotation thereof will obviously turn the valve 1 independently of the ring A. The

Y inward movement of the handle '3 has compressed Athe spring 2l, betweenY the flange 20 f Y and the rear face of the plate 11 and has caused theprojections@ to be rnovedin#A wardlyand outfof 'register with the 1erfsv 14 and rotation of said shaft in this position willmove theprojections 19.to the position e shown in dotted lines Fig. 2. lThe shaft 2 is not only free to turn, with-out engagement with the plate 11 or the ring A,rbut is pre vented, bythe projections v19, from returning'to the full line position Vshown in Fig.

2, until the-,shaft has *been rotated sufli-VV ciently to bring the said projections back into register with the kerfs 14. When such alignment is effected, the projections snap back into engagement withsa-id slots,under the influence of the spring 21, assuming the position shown in full lines in Fig'. 2,'andV any further rotation of the shaft will rotateV both thering and valve. Y

Itfwill be noted that the`spring21 not only provides means for automatically retract-ing the shaft 2 to engage the' ring A,

as described, but alsofurnishesthe necessary friction to vhold tlie'valve 1 in any Set positionV relatively ofthe ring'A. V`When the projections 19 lare forward'ofV and out of alignment with the kerfs 14, theV spring 21 is constantly exerting a backward pull upon the shaft', and hold-ing the projections-19 in close contact with the face of the"V plate 11,'

Such contact. offers suflicie'nt resistance to prevent undesired shifting'of the valve, 0as' i will be clear."

i Inforder 'to indicate Vthe position of the ring A, inthe stack, a1 pointer 23 is Vcarried by the plate 11, asl shown, and is positioned so that it. always points in a line parallel l with theV plane of the ring A.' Since the j.

ring A cannot be rotated unless'the `plate f rotating the valve, it is cleartha't the iii-fV dicating mark 24 will always vproperly show the position of the valve. Obviously said niark 24V may be'ipositioned` anywhere on the handle 3, or upon any exposed pQrtQn of the sliaft2.'

It is manifest that, bythe construction f specified, lehave provided nmeans whereby the shaft 2 may beutilizedY to efficiently rotate the combined ring and valve, orthe valve independently of the ring, at thesanie time frictionallyl retainingethe ringV and valve, or the valve alone,'in the desired set position. Y'

lslodilcations fof. my invention may rbe suggested to those Vskilled, in the art, but

r'iiy invention covers all'such embodiments as fall fairly within the yscope of the appended claims. l

iJlia-t l claim is: f 'A 1f Theyconibination withfa damper co'in- A prising' tivo rotative members, @t a shaft adapted. torotate said members in unison, said shalt being longitudinally movable to 1 a position. whereby rotation of the-*shaft vill rotate one only of said members,`sub

stantialiy as described.

l 2.- The-combination with a damper comprising tivo Yprinted members, of an operyatin shaft enrfaged at all times with 'one oi said members, and movable longitudinally 'Whereby'to be brought into `engagement With the other member,'substantiallyY as described` The combination with a dai'nper comprising Sapivote'd yring and a pivoted valve,

ot an operating shaft connected to said valveatfall times, and longitudinally movable to a position to operatively engage said ring, and resilient means exerting its inv[luence :to move said shaft to said position,

substantially as described. y v Il. The, combination with adamper coinpri'sing a pivoted ring and a pivoted valve,

of an Aoperating shaft connected to said yvalve at all'ltimes, Asaid shaft being longitu-g `dinally movablertoaposition toalsc engage said ring, and resilientrmeans exert; ing its influence to engage said shaft ivith said ring, and also to retain said ring and valve in any position to which theyA have beentrotated by said- 'shaft, substantially as. described The combination With a damper mountved in a stack, and comprising aringand a valve, both mounted for rotative inoven'ient, of an operatingshattzmovable laterally ot said ring and damper, and carryingpro- `iections engaging the valve at all times, and engaging the ring in certain positions only of said shaft.

f 6. The combination with a damper mounted' in a stack, and comprising a ring and a valve, Vboth mounted for rotative'movement,

ot anV operating shaft engaging said ring and valve, and movable intoy positionl to' engage said valve only, and means'preventj ing .re-engagement with said ring during I, positions of rotation of saidshaft, and a spring tending to restore said shaft '.toringpositionsengaging position at certain other of rotation of said shaft. Y l 8. The combination with a damper mounted in a stack, and comprising a ring and a valve both mounted for rotative movement, ofV an operating shaft engaging said -ring and valve, and movable into position to- .n engage said'valve only,`means for preventring, substantially as described.v Y Y, l2. The `combina-tion 'with 'a damper ing re-engagement f .vvith saidv ringf during .certain positions `ot rotation otsaid shaft,vr and a spring 0tending to restoresaidfshaft to ring-engaging position atv certain-other positions ofy rotation` of ysaid shaft, said4 spring also operating to cause frictionalre-` sistance to all rotative movements of said i shaft, 'substantially as described.

9:5 The Acombination with afdamperfmounted ina stack; and comprising a ring- Vand a valve both mounted for .rotative nio-vement,

of an operating shaft extending through the stach and engaged vvith'vther valve at all Y sA times and movable to a position :to engage said ring, a ratchet plate carried by the stack,v a second.V ratchet plate carried bythe shaft,- means carried'by the shaft preventing rotation or the latter relatively toI said second plate While the shaft is in engagementj .with the lring, said means permitting rotationgof:Y said shaft relative to, said plate, lWhile the'shaft is out of engagement with said ring, substantially Vas described.

10. TheA combinationk with VVa idamper ifnountedin av stack, and comprising a ring and a valveboth mounted for rotative move` ment, *oiz ,aan operating shaft.V 'extending through the stack, andinto thebody oi said valve, and a projectionon said shaft adapt ed to simultaneously engage Va notch in said valve anda notchiin said ring, said shaft being longitudinallyV .movable to a position vvhereby said projection is disengaged from the notch in said ring, substantially as described. Y l 11.` The -combination with a@ damper mounted in a stack, and comprising a ringy and; a valve both mounted for rotative movement, of an' operating shaft extending through the stack, and into the body ofzsaid Y valve, a projection-ensaid shaft adapted to simultaneously engage a notch insaid valve and a notch in said ring, saidlshaft being longitudinally 'movable toa position Where.-

Aby said projection is disengaged from the notch in said ring, and aspring carried by. said shaftand -eXertingits influence to restore said shaft toV a position whereby said projection is engaged vvith the notch in said "1:15

mounted in a staclnand comprising' a ring and a valve `both 'mounted for rotative' movement, of an operating shaft entending` through the stack and atall times operatively engaging saidvalve and adapted for longitudinal movement to engage said ring, a plate carried by -said shaitoutside of the stack and provided with an elongated aperture through lWhich-)the latter extends, and a projection carried by the shaft and adapted Y toextend into said aperture and rotate said plate upon rotation' ofthe shaft, said projection being` adapted topass through lsaid aperture and rictionally engage the-inner deslorilbedgf Y *y 155'. VThe '-combination withV -aY dampei-` Clv fzioefof piatte;V Vwhen. the shaft is outfof mounted' in VaV Stack, ald'icompiising a Ting and: mj valve.. both mountedV for rotative 1novfmient,jofan1 operating shaft' exteiidinr;l

through the stok'zmd at'ull tinies operativeily engaging said .i'fjlveV Vmet adapted for V,f

loiigit'diiial movement to engage said ring,

engagement with suidring, substantially asf extend into said. aperture andtrotate'sid plate upon rotation of the shaft, said projec v tion beingV adapted `to passl through said aperture andk 'frctionaily engage Vthe inner face .of said plate, when the Shafts out O Y engagement with said ring, andrafcompression spring carred'by said shaftand eifel-ti ing ltemuence to move said shatfmtoen-:K: Y

gal-gement with said ring, Vsubst'antiallyas 'Si i desciibed. Y 1

AIn testimony whereof AI vhereuiito '-kmiy l Signature.:

THOMAS# @fme 

